Outward-focused Church

JUDY WOODRUFF: You’re now six months into this position. How has the fact that you are the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, a descendant of slaves, how has that affected what you have been able to do so far?

THE MOST REVEREND MICHAEL CURRY: Certainly, that has affected, only in the sense that it is a first. Beyond that, I have a funny feeling I was probably elected for a variety of reasons.

I suspect that my election was a moment of hope that we could begin to help the Episcopal Church and Episcopalians begin to focus outward in some new ways, outward in ways that actually share the message of Jesus of Nazareth, which is fundamentally a message of love of God and love of neighbor.

And that’s a game-changer, in and of itself, the various forms and ways we’re divided between each other, whether it is racial or socioeconomic or political or religious or tribal or national or on and on and on, helping this church to become instruments of God’s work of reconciliation in this world.

That really does have something to do with helping the world stop living a nightmare and start living something closer to God’s dream. And that’s worth doing. And I have a feeling that’s why I got elected.

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St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Jacksonville Florida – This Associate will share in all the privileges of ordained ministry including preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and administration. He/she will assist the Rector in coordinating all Christian formation opportunities for adult parishioners and also oversee the ministry of the Director of Children’s Ministry and Director of Youth Ministry. This Associate will work to create a coordinated youth program designed to inspire and nurture Christian faith and service. St. Mark’s is a community of faith anchored in traditional Anglican theology and liturgy as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer. With a school year ASA of ~350 and an annual budget of ~$1.5million, this neighborhood church maintains a healthy balance of long-time generational members combined with those who are new to the Jacksonville community. Inquires should include a cover letter, resume, OTM portfolio, and a list of three references and be sent to the Rev. Tom Murray at tmurray@stmarksjacksonville.org Website: https://stmarksjacksonville.org/welcome/associate-rector-search.html